Olympics blog: 71,649 drug tests and counting for London Games

London officials want their Olympics to be the most-tested Games in
history. Already, 71,649 drug tests have been administered in the six
months leading up to the Games. 107 athletes – who may or may not have
qualified for the Games – were sanctioned in that period.

Testing technology has improved, as has the frequency of blood and
urine tests given to athletes. The IOC has also allowed samples to be
held for eight years and will reexamine samples in the future as
testing techniques continue to advance. The top five finishers in all
medal events in London will be tested, coinciding with random testing
and intelligence-based testing.

Still, John Fahey, president of the World-Anti Doping Agency, said
today that human nature promises that there will always be athletes who
attempt to cheat.

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